The Environment Protection Department (EPD) has issued notices to eight cement factories across the Punjab over the last week for failing to install devices to mitigate dust pollution levels.

The notices were issued under Section 12 and Section 16 of the Punjab Environment Protection Act 2012.

The notices were issued after a month-long survey, initiated after three cement factories in Chakwal – DG Khan Cements, Bestway Cements and Pakistan Cements – were found not using the electrostatic precipitators and air bags. The three factories had been issued show cause notices in mid-July and given two weeks to resolve the problem.